Short Summary

General Charles de Gaulle visits Bordeaux.

Description

Bordeaux, France.

Crowd waiting for the General Charles de Gaulle to arrive. MS. General Charles De Gaulle standing in open car driving through crowd lined street in Bordeaux. MS. De Gaulle alighting from car and shaking hands with official. LS. De Gaulle walking past crowd. SCU. De Gaulle shaking hands with people in crowd. MS. Elevated, De Gaulle shaking hands with people in crowd. SCU. De Gaulle shaking hands with people in crowd. SCU. De Gaulle kisses woman in crowd. MS. Elevated, De Gaulle and escort walking through crowd. SCU. De Gaulle saluting. SCU. Back view, De Gaulle saluting. MS. Elevated, De Gaulle walking through crowd. GV. Crowd massed in square to hear de Gaulle speak. MS. De Gaulle speaking from platform.

Translation of General de Gaulle's speech found in the old record: 'The French people are feeling increasingly apprehensive the official leaders keep repeating that stability has been acquired and security assured. I say that is not so. Everybody knows that French economy is only bolstered up by temporary imports under the Marshall Plan. Everybody knows that both ends meet only by the inflation. 300 milliards millions a year of billets, the borrowing, 100 milliards from the economy. The exchange value of the American help 300 milliards in 12 months. Everybody knows that Franc, same time as others currencies, has been devaluated once more - devaluation imposed by the outside conditions. We all feel that before the threat which watch us over there in the slave plains and here in the heart of the country, our future depends on not only a more or less skilful technique but on conditions, which are the national Unity, the security of the territory, the organisation of Europe and those the present system is unable to fulfil. What has just happened with the devaluation of sterling prepared and carried out in a strange insolation, has revealed the reality. As for myself I think that the reorganisation of Europe should proceed from Europe itself. I consider that the start should be made by a cast referendum of all free Europeans. I believe that France should take the initiative as soon as its government truly represents the nation and not, as it is now the case, a groups of political parties on the way to referendum, Frenchmen and Frenchwomen I have doubted you. I ask you not to doubt me. Together we dragged from the abyss, as once before I asked you to help me again so that we can complete our great task of public welfare. I ask you as before to help me by every means. Perhaps the day is not far, anyway it will come later or sooner, when your suffrages will make the road clear.'